What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3?

The Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 11.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.5-20.0.

Is the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 good for cold climates?

It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 30,000 BTU model.

How much does the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $707-$2,026 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $890 in Phoenix and $1,707 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Which indoor units work with the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3?

ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MAHBQ30XA3, BRYANT 619AHBQ30XA3, PAYNE DHMAHBQ30XA3.

What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38M series

Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #135 of 171 30,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $834 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 18%
HSPF2: 9.2 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 16%
EER2: 11.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 13%
Heat at 5°F: 19,000 BTU/h58% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 34%

A good fit if…

You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 10 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications30,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant, Payne, Midea, WeatherMaker
Outdoor unit model	38MARBQ30AA3
Series	38M series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	30,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	June 10, 2020
Last certified	June 13, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 17.5-20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.2-11.5
Cooling capacity	30,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.4-9.2
Capacity at 47°F	30,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	19,000-20,400 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	17,500-19,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.81-1.95
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder58% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MAHBQ30XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups10 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
40MAHBQ30XA3 CARRIER	20.0	11.5	9.2	17,500	206348139
619AHBQ30XA3 BRYANT	20.0	11.5	9.2	17,500	206348146
DHMAHBQ30XA3 PAYNE	20.0	11.5	9.2	17,500	206350306
DHMAHBQ30XA3 MIDEA	20.0	11.5	9.2	17,500	206350308
DHMAHBQ30XA3 Weathermaker	20.0	11.5	9.2	17,500	206350310
40MBABQ30XB3	17.5	11.2	8.4	19,000	210819416
40MBABQ30XB3	17.5	11.2	8.4	19,000	210819415
40MBABQ30XB3	17.5	11.2	8.4	19,000	210819417
40MBABQ30XB3	17.5	11.2	8.4	19,000	210819418
40MBABQ30XB3	17.5	11.2	8.4	19,000	210819419

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$707-$2,026

Phoenix, AZ$890/yr
Miami, FL$707/yr
Houston, TX$799/yr
Atlanta, GA$834/yr
Los Angeles, CA$818/yr
New York, NY$2,026/yr
Chicago, IL$1,651/yr
Denver, CO$1,378/yr
Seattle, WA$851/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,707/yr

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3?: The Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 11.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.5-20.0.
Is the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 good for cold climates?: It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 30,000 BTU model.
How much does the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $707-$2,026 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $890 in Phoenix and $1,707 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3?: ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MAHBQ30XA3, BRYANT 619AHBQ30XA3, PAYNE DHMAHBQ30XA3.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3 use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $893/yrYou save $654/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Carrier 38MARBQ30AA3

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $893
Current system, per year: $1,547
You save per year: $654
Payback: 17.6 years
Net after 10 years: -$4,963

Cooling $528Heating $365Electricity used: 5,583 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $293

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

Similar 30,000 BTU models

Breeze33 BZ33-HP30OUT2-454-G3-C20.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Century A-VMH30SG-120.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
AC Pro AOD30-30HFN1-MS0W20.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Innovair MOS30H2BE5A20.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Mitsutomo HO-SZ36-AB-Q · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Mainline ML30HP230GEN-O · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-3D30NLHZ · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
MDV MOD30-30HFN1-MS0W-L20.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2

See all 171 30,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 13, 2026. How we use the data.